CN107420738B - Compressed gas distribution - Google Patents

Compressed gas distribution Download PDF

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Publication number
CN107420738B
CN107420738B CN201710368903.9A CN201710368903A CN107420738B CN 107420738 B CN107420738 B CN 107420738B CN 201710368903 A CN201710368903 A CN 201710368903A CN 107420738 B CN107420738 B CN 107420738B
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China
Prior art keywords
compressed gas
storage
gas
amount
vessel
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CN201710368903.9A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN107420738A (en
Inventor
J.P.科亨
D.J.法里斯
D.E.汤普森
T.E.卡尔森
E.L.J.布鲁内奥
F.J.M.施尼策勒
K.D.R.托雷斯
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Air Products and Chemicals Inc
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Air Products and Chemicals Inc
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/06—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with compressed gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/025—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the pressure as the parameter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/04—Arrangement or mounting of valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/002—Automated filling apparatus
    • F17C5/007—Automated filling apparatus for individual gas tanks or containers, e.g. in vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C7/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
    • F17D1/00—Pipe-line systems
    • F17D1/02—Pipe-line systems for gases or vapours
    • F17D1/04—Pipe-line systems for gases or vapours for distribution of gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/012—Hydrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/036—Very high pressure, i.e. above 80 bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • F17C2227/041—Methods for emptying or filling vessel by vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • F17C2227/043—Methods for emptying or filling by pressure cascade
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/063—Fluid distribution for supply of refueling stations
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/065—Fluid distribution for refueling vehicle fuel tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • F17C2270/0139—Fuel stations
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • F17C2270/0581—Power plants
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/34—Hydrogen distribution

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A compressed gas distribution method is used that performs a cascade distribution from a first plurality of storage vessels and a second plurality of storage vessels. The compressor is used to provide very high pressure compressed gas to the second plurality of pressure storage vessels. Various methods are described for different sources of compressed gas. These methods are particularly useful for dispensing hydrogen into the storage containers of a vehicle.

Description

Compressed gas distribution
Cross Reference to Related Applications
The present application claims priority from european patent application 16170898.7 filed on day 5 and 23 of 2016 and U.S. provisional patent application 62/356086 filed on day 29 of 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowed by law. To the extent that references may not be fully incorporated herein, they are incorporated by reference for background purposes and to the extent that they indicate knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
Background
The use of hydrogen as a transportation fuel in automobiles, buses, trucks, and other vehicles is of increasing interest. Hydrogen is typically stored at high pressure in a fuel tank on board the vehicle. After most of the on-board hydrogen has been exhausted, the hydrogen pressure in the fuel tank decreases and the fuel tank must be filled with hydrogen (refilled to the target pressure).
The hydrogen may be supplied from a high pressure storage vessel and/or a liquid storage vessel. The cost of supplying hydrogen depends on whether the source is a liquid or a compressed gas. Industry desires to supply hydrogen to a fuel tank on-board vehicle in a cost effective manner.
There is a need in the industry for improved methods and improved apparatus for compressed gas distribution.
Industry desires to increase the utilization of storage containers used to deliver compressed gas from a supply reservoir to a dispensing station, thereby reducing the frequency of delivery of compressed gas storage containers.
The industry desires to reduce the use of compressors at the distribution station due to the need to maintain the compressors and the power requirements of the compressors.
The industry needs to reliably supply compressed gas at compressed gas distribution stations.
The invention may also be used to dispense other compressed gases such as natural gas.
Summary of The Invention
As described below, there are several aspects of the present invention. Hereinafter, specific aspects of the present invention will be summarized. The reference numerals and expressions provided in parentheses are example embodiments further explained with reference to the drawings. However, the reference numbers and expressions are merely illustrative and do not limit the aspect to any particular components or features of the exemplary embodiments. These aspects may be formulated as claims in which reference numerals and expressions placed in parentheses are omitted or substituted as appropriate.
Aspect 1. a method for dispensing a gas to a receiving vessel (111), the method comprising:
transferring, by a compressor, a first quantity of gas from at least one of the first plurality of storage vessels (102,103) or the gas source (114) to at least one storage vessel 105 of the second plurality of storage vessels (104);
transferring a second amount of gas from the gas source (114) to a first storage container (102) of the first plurality of storage containers using a pressure differential between the gas in the gas source (114) and the gas in the first storage container (114) for transferring the second amount of gas, while transferring a third amount of gas from the gas source (114) to the receiving container (111) using a corresponding pressure differential between the gas of the gas source (114) and the gas in the receiving container (111) to transfer the third amount of gas; and
transferring a fourth amount of gas from the at least one storage container of the second plurality of storage containers (104) to the receiving container using a respective pressure difference between the gas in the at least one storage container of the second plurality of storage containers (104) and the gas in the receiving container (111) to transfer the fourth amount of gas, wherein the fourth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the first amount of gas.
The method of aspect 1, wherein the first amount of gas is transferred from the gas source (114) into the at least one storage container of the second plurality of storage containers (104), while simultaneously transferring the second amount of gas from the gas source (114) to the first storage container (102) of the first plurality of storage containers and transferring the third amount of gas from the gas source (114) to the receiving container (111)).
Aspect 3 the method of aspect 1 or aspect 2 further comprises:
transferring a fifth amount of gas from the second storage container (103) of the first plurality of storage containers (103) to the receiving container (111) using a respective pressure difference between the gas in the second storage container (103) of the first plurality of storage containers (103) and the gas in the receiving container (111).
Aspect 4. the method of aspect 3, further comprising:
a sixth quantity of gas is transferred from a second storage vessel (103) of the first plurality of storage vessels via the compressor (105) to the receiving vessel (111), while at least a fourth quantity of gas is transferred from one storage vessel of the at least second plurality of storage vessels (104) to the receiving vessel (111) by a respective pressure difference.
Aspect 5. the method of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising:
transferring a seventh amount of gas from the first storage container (102) of the first plurality of storage containers (102) to the receiving container (111) using a pressure differential between the gas in the first storage container (102) of the first plurality of storage containers (102) and the gas in the receiving container (111).
Aspect 6. the method of aspect 5, wherein the seventh amount of gas is transferred from the first storage container (102) of the first plurality of storage containers to the receiving container (111) while the eighth amount of gas is transferred from the gas source (114) to the receiving container (111) using a respective pressure differential between the gas of the gas source (114) and the gas in the receiving container (111) to transfer the eighth amount of gas.
Aspect 7. the method of aspect 5 or aspect 6, wherein the seventh amount of gas is transferred from the first storage vessel (102) of the first plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel (111) while a ninth amount of gas is transferred from the gas source (114) to at least one storage vessel of the second plurality of storage vessels (104) via the compressor (105).
The method of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising:
transferring an amount of gas from a gas source (114) to a receiving container (111) by a compressor (105) while delivering one of:
transferring a fourth amount of gas from at least one storage container of the second plurality of storage containers (104) to a receiving container (111) and
transferring a tenth amount of gas from the at least one of the second plurality of storage containers (104) to the receiving container (111) using a respective pressure difference between the gas in the at least one of the second plurality of storage containers (104) and the gas in the receiving container (111) to transfer the tenth amount of gas, wherein the tenth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the first amount of gas and/or the ninth amount of gas.
Aspect 9. a dispensing station for dispensing a gas to a receiving container (211), the dispensing station comprising:
a mobile compressed gas storage unit (210) comprising a plurality of storage vessels (202,203), each of the plurality of storage vessels (202,203) having a control valve (220,230) associated therewith for connecting a respective storage vessel to a receiving vessel (211) from each storage vessel using a respective pressure differential between the gas in the respective storage vessel and the gas in the receiving vessel (211); and
a stationary dispensing station assembly comprising:
a compression device (205) operably disposed to receive gas from each of the plurality of storage vessels of the removable compressed gas storage device (210); and
one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (204) operatively arranged to receive gas from the compression device (205) and operatively arranged to dispense gas to the receiving vessel.
Aspect 10 the dispensing station of aspect 9, wherein all control valves (220,230) associated with the plurality of storage containers (202,203) for dispensing to the receiving container (211) are secured to the mobile compressed gas storage device (210).
Aspect 11 the dispensing station of aspect 9 or aspect 10, wherein all control valves (220,230) associated with a plurality of storage containers for dispensing to a receiving container (211) are operably arranged to feed a common connector (225) connecting the mobile compressed gas storage device (210) to the stationary dispensing station component.
Aspect 12 the dispensing station of aspect 11, wherein the common connector (225) has a connector portion associated with the movable compressed gas storage means (210) and a connector portion associated with the stationary dispensing station component, wherein the connector portion is associated with the movable compressed gas storage means (210), preferably fixed to the movable compressed gas storage means (210).
Aspect 13 the dispensing station of any of aspects 9 to 12, wherein each of the plurality of storage containers (202,203) has a control valve (222, 232) associated therewith for transferring gas from each respective storage container to a compression device (205);
wherein all control valves associated with a plurality of storage vessels for delivering gas to the compression device (205) are secured to the mobile compressed gas storage device (210).
Aspect 14. the dispensing station of aspect 13, wherein all control valves (222, 232) associated with the plurality of storage containers (202,203) for delivering gas to the compression device (205) are operably arranged to feed a second common connector (235) connecting the mobile compressed gas storage device (210) to a fixed dispensing station component.
Aspect 15 the dispensing station of aspect 14, wherein the second common connector (235) has a connector portion associated with the movable compressed gas storage means (210) and a connector portion associated with the stationary dispensing station component, wherein the portion of the second common connector (235) that the connector is associated with the movable compressed gas storage means (210) is preferably fixed to the movable compressed gas storage means (210).
Aspect 16. a method for distributing a gas to a plurality of receiving vessels, the method comprising:
transferring a first amount of gas from a first storage vessel (202) of the plurality of storage vessels on the first mobile compressed gas storage device (210) to a receiving vessel (211), using a pressure differential between the gas of the first storage vessel (202) and the gas in the receiving vessel (211) to transfer the first amount of gas;
transferring a second amount of gas from a second storage vessel (203) of the plurality of storage vessels on the first mobile compressed gas storage device (210) to the receiving vessel (211), using a pressure differential between the gas of the second storage vessel (203) and the gas in the receiving vessel (211) to transfer the second amount of gas;
transferring a third amount of gas via a compressor from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels of the first mobile compressed gas storage device to one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels;
transferring a fourth amount of gas from the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) to a receiving vessel (211) using a pressure differential between the gas in the receiving vessel (211) and at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) to transfer the fourth amount of gas, wherein the fourth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the third amount of gas;
transporting the first mobile compressed gas storage device (210) to a refill station after the first mobile compressed gas storage device has been depleted to a selected depletion level;
refilling the first mobile compressed gas storage device (210) at the refill station;
transferring a second quantity of gas from a first storage vessel (202') of the plurality of storage vessels on a second mobile compressed gas storage device (210') to a second receiving vessel (211') using a pressure differential between the gas in the first storage vessel (202') and the second receiving vessel (211') of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device (210') to deliver a fifth quantity of gas;
transferring a sixth amount of gas from a second storage vessel (203') of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device (210') to a second receiving vessel (211') using a pressure differential between the gas in the second storage vessel (203') and a second receiving vessel (211') of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device (210') to displace the sixth amount of gas;
delivering via a compressor a seventh amount of gas from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels of the second mobile compressed gas storage facility (210') to one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (204) via a compressor (205); and
transferring an eighth amount of gas from at least one or another of the one or more fixed storage containers (204) to a second receiving container (211') using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one or another of the at least one or more fixed storage containers (204) and the gas in the second receiving container (211') to transfer the eighth amount of gas, wherein the eighth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the seventh amount of gas.
Aspect 17 the method of aspect 16, further comprising:
transferring the first amount of liquid from the liquid storage container (250) to the one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers (204) by a compressor (205) or fluid driver (255) to form a ninth amount of gas the one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers (204);
transferring a tenth amount of gas from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device (210') to a third receiving vessel (211 "), using a respective pressure differential between the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device and the gas in the third receiving vessel (211") to transfer the tenth amount of gas; and
after the transfer of the tenth amount of gas, transferring the first amount of gas from at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) to a third receiving vessel (211 "), using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) and the gas in the third receiving vessel (211") to transfer an eleventh amount of gas, wherein the eleventh amount of gas comprises a portion of the at least one ninth amount of gas.
Aspect 18 the method of aspect 17, further comprising:
transferring a twelfth amount of gas from at least one or more of the plurality of fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) to a fourth receiving vessel (211 ") using a pressure differential between the gas in at least one or another of the at least one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) and the gas in the fourth receiving vessel (211") to transfer the twelfth amount of gas;
wherein the gas is transferred only from the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) to the fourth receiving vessel (211 ") to bring the pressure of the gas in the fourth receiving vessel (211" ") from the initial pressure of the gas in the fourth receiving vessel to a target final pressure for the fourth receiving vessel.
Aspect 19. the method of aspect 18, wherein a twelfth amount of gas is transferred from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (204) to a fourth receiving vessel (211 "") when the mobile compressed gas storage devices (210') each contain gas at a pressure less than the initial pressure of gas in the fourth receiving vessel (211 "").
The method of aspect 20, aspect 17 or aspect 18 or aspect 19,
wherein after receiving the eleventh amount of gas, the third receiving vessel (211 ") contains gas at a target final pressure;
wherein the second mobile compressed gas storage unit (210') has a total number of storage containers mounted on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit (210'); and
wherein the first amount of gas is transferred from at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (204) to a third receiving vessel (211') when the pressure of the gas of each or each of the total number of storage vessels installed on the second mobile compressed gas storage device (210') is determined to be insufficient to provide a target final pressure of gas in the third receiving vessel (211 ').
Aspect 21. the method of any of aspects 16 to 20, further comprising:
transferring a thirteenth amount of gas from a first storage vessel (202') of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device (210') to a fifth receiving vessel (211 ""), using a pressure differential between the gas in the first storage vessel (202') and the gas in the fifth receiving vessel (211 "") to transfer the thirteenth amount of gas;
transferring a fourteenth amount of gas from a second storage vessel (203') of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to a fifth receiving vessel (211 "") after the transfer of the thirteenth amount of gas, using a pressure differential between the gas in the second storage vessel (203') and the gas in the fifth receiving vessel (211 "") to transfer the fourteenth amount of gas;
wherein the gas is transferred only from the second movable compressed gas storage device to the fifth receiving vessel to increase the pressure of compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel from an initial starting pressure of the fifth receiving vessel (211 "") to a target final pressure.
Aspect 22. the method of any of aspects 17 to 21, wherein the liquid storage container (250) is a stationary liquid storage container.
Aspect 23. the method of any of aspects 17 to 21, wherein the liquid storage container (250) is a mobile liquid storage container.
Aspect 24. the method of any of aspects 17 to 23, wherein the first quantity of liquid is transferred from a liquid storage vessel (250) to the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (204)255 via a fluid driver (250), and wherein the fluid driver (255) receives the first quantity of liquid in liquid form from the liquid storage vessel (250).
Aspect 25. method according to the preceding aspect, wherein the fluid driver (255) discharges a first amount of effluent as a liquid or supercritical fluid, the first amount of effluent being formed from the first amount of liquid, the method further comprising heating the first amount of effluent from the fluid driver (255) to form a ninth amount of gas.
Aspect 26. the method of any of aspects 16 to 25, further comprising transferring the amount of gas from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels (202,203) of the plurality of storage vessels from the first mobile compressed gas storage device (210) to a receiving vessel (211) via a compressor (205).
Aspect 27. the method of aspect 26, wherein the amount of gas in the at least one of the storage vessels (202,203) of the plurality of storage vessels is transferred to the first mobile compressed gas storage device (210) via a compressor (205) and a receiving vessel (211) while transferring a first amount of gas from at least one of one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (204) to a receiving vessel (211).
Aspect 28. a method for distributing compressed gas into a plurality of receiving vessels at a compressed gas distribution station (10), the compressed gas distribution station (10) comprising a movable compressed gas storage device (300), a liquid storage vessel (350) and one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (311), the method comprising:
operatively connecting a first receiving vessel (371) of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas dispensing station (10), the first receiving vessel (371) containing compressed gas at an initial pressure;
transferring a first amount of compressed gas from a first storage container (302) of the plurality of storage containers on the movable compressed gas storage device (300) to a first receiving container (371) of the plurality of receiving containers, the first amount of compressed gas being delivered using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the first storage container (302) and the compressed gas in the first receiving container (371);
transferring a second amount of compressed gas from a second storage container (303) of the plurality of storage containers on the movable compressed gas storage device (300) to a first receiving container (371) after transferring the first amount of compressed gas, using a pressure difference between the compressed gas in the second storage container (303) and the compressed gas in the first receiving container (371) to transfer the second amount of compressed gas;
wherein compressed gas is transferred only from the movable compressed gas storage device (300) to the first receiving vessel (371) to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the first receiving vessel (371) from the initial pressure to a target final pressure for the first receiving vessel;
transferring a first quantity of liquid from the liquid storage container (350) to one or more stationary compressed gas storage containers (311) by a fluid driver (110) to thereby form a first fluid-filled reservoir (311) in the one or more stationary compressed gas storage containers (311);
operatively connecting a second receiving vessel (372) of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station (10);
transferring a fourth amount of compressed gas from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels (302,303) on the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) to a second receiving vessel (372) of the plurality of receiving vessels, using a pressure differential between each of the respective one or more plurality of storage vessels (302,303) and the compressed gas in the second receiving vessel (372) to deliver the fourth amount of compressed gas;
transferring the first amount of compressed gas from the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) to the second receiving vessel (372) using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) and the compressed gas in the second receiving vessel (372) after the transferring of the fourth amount of compressed gas to transfer a fifth amount of compressed gas, wherein the fifth amount of compressed gas comprises at least a portion of the third amount of compressed gas;
operatively connecting a third receiving vessel (373) of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station (10), the third receiving vessel (373) containing the compressed gas at an initial pressure; and
a third receiving vessel (373) being used to transfer a first amount of compressed gas from the at least one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) to the plurality of receiving vessels to transfer a sixth amount of compressed gas at a pressure differential between the compressed gas of at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) and the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel (373);
wherein compressed gas is only transferred from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (311) to the third receiving vessel (373) such that the pressure of the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel (373) reaches the target final pressure of the third receiving vessel (373) from the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel (373).
Aspect 29. the method of aspect 28, wherein the mobile compressed gas storage unit (300) has a total number of storage vessels mounted on the mobile compressed gas storage unit (300); and
wherein the fifth amount of compressed gas is transferred from at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) to the total number of storage vessels of the second containment vessel (372) installed on the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) as the pressure of compressed gas in each of the compressed gases is compressed is determined to be insufficient to provide a target pressure of compressed gas in the second receiving vessel (372).
Aspect 30. the method of aspect 28 or aspect 29, wherein the sixth amount of compressed gas is transferred from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (311) to the third receiving vessel (373) when the storage vessel is in the storage vessel, each containing a pressure less than the initial pressure of compressed gas in the third receiving vessel (373) when a mobile compressed gas storage device (300), or when there is no mobile compressed gas storage device dispensing station (10) operably connected to compressed gas.
Aspect 31. the method of any of aspects 28 to 30, wherein the liquid storage container (350) is a stationary liquid storage container.
Aspect 32. the method of any of aspects 28 to 30, wherein the liquid storage container (350) is a mobile liquid storage container.
Aspect 33. the method of any of the preceding aspects 28 to 32, further comprising:
operatively connecting a second removable compressed gas storage unit (400) comprising a plurality of storage containers to the compressed gas distribution station (10);
operatively connecting a fourth receiving vessel (374) of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station (10), the fourth receiving vessel (374) containing compressed gas at an initial pressure;
transferring a seventh amount of compressed gas from a first storage vessel (402) of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit (400) to a fourth receiving vessel (374) of the plurality of receiving vessels, using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the first storage vessel (402) on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit and the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel (374) to transfer the seventh amount of compressed gas; and
transferring an eighth amount of compressed gas from a second storage vessel (403) of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit (400) to a fourth holding vessel (374) after the transferring of the seventh amount of compressed gas, using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the second storage vessel (403) on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit and the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel (374) to transfer the eighth amount of compressed gas;
wherein compressed gas is transferred only from the second removable compressed gas storage unit (400) to the fourth receiving vessel (374) to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel from the initial pressure to the fourth vessel receiving vessel.
Aspect 34 the method of aspect 33 further comprises:
after the compressed gas on the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) has been depleted to a selected depletion level, transporting the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) to a compressed gas supply reservoir;
-recharging the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) with the compressed gas at the compressed gas supply device;
transporting the mobile compressed gas storage unit (300) to a compressed gas distribution station (10);
operatively connecting a mobile compressed gas storage device (300) to a compressed gas distribution station (10);
operatively connecting a fifth receiving vessel (375) of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station (10), the fifth receiving vessel (375) containing the compressed gas at an initial pressure;
transferring a ninth amount of compressed gas from the plurality of storage vessels (302) from the mobile compressed gas storage apparatus (300) to a fifth receiving vessel (375) of the plurality of receiving vessels, using a pressure differential between compressed gas in the first storage vessel (302) and compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel (375) on the mobile compressed gas storage apparatus to transfer the ninth amount of compressed gas; and
transferring a tenth amount of compressed gas from a second storage container (303) of the plurality of storage containers on the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) to a fifth receiving container (375) after the transferring of the ninth amount of compressed gas using a pressure difference between the compressed gas in the second storage container (303) on the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) and the compressed gas in the fifth receiving container (375) to transfer the tenth amount of compressed gas;
wherein compressed gas is only transferred from the movable compressed gas storage device (300) to the fifth receiving vessel (375) to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel from the initial pressure to a target pressure for the fifth receiving vessel.
Aspect 35. the method of any of aspects 28 to 34, wherein the first receiving vessel (371) is refilled to the target pressure using compressed gas only from the removable compressed gas storage device (300).
Aspect 36. the method of any of aspects 28 to 35, wherein the third receiving vessel (373) is refilled to the target pressure using only compressed gas from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (311).
Aspect 37. the method of any of aspects 28 to 36, wherein the fluid mover (110) receives the first quantity of liquid in liquid form from the liquid storage container (350).
Aspect 38 the method of aspect 37, wherein the fluid driver (110) discharges a first amount of effluent as a liquid or supercritical fluid, the first amount of effluent being formed from the first amount of liquid, the method further comprising heating the first amount of effluent from the fluid driver (110) to form a third amount of compressed gas.
Aspect 39. the method of any of aspects 28 to 38, further comprising:
an amount of compressed gas is transferred by a fluid from one or more storage vessels (300) of a plurality of storage vessels (302,303) on a mobile compressed gas storage device (300) to one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels (311) movers (110).
Aspect 40. the method of aspect 39, further comprising:
operatively connecting another receiving vessel (376) of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas dispensing station (10); and
delivering an amount of compressed gas from the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) to the compressed gas in another receiving vessel (376) of another vessel (376) using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) and the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311), wherein the amount of compressed gas transferred from the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311) to the another vessel (376) comprises transferring from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels (302,303) on the mobile compressed gas storage device (300) to the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels (at least a portion) 311) through the fluid drive (110).
Aspect 41. the method of any of aspects 28 to 40, wherein the first receiving container (371) is refilled to a target pressure for the first receiving container (371) and then disconnected from the compressed gas dispensing station (10).
Aspect 42. the method of any of aspects 28 to 41, wherein after refilling the second receiving vessel (372) to the target pressure of the second receiving vessel (372), the second receiving vessel (372) is disconnected from the compressed gas distribution station (10), the second receiving vessel (372) by using compressed gas from a movable compressed gas storage device (300) and at least one of a plurality of fixed compressed gas storage vessels (311).
Aspect 43. the method of any one of aspects 28 to 42, wherein after refilling the third receiving vessel (373) to the target pressure of the third receiving vessel (373), the third receiving vessel (373) is disconnected from the compressed gas distribution station (10), a third receiving vessel (373).
Aspect 41. the method of any one of aspects 1 to 27, wherein the gas is hydrogen or any one of aspects 28 to 43, wherein the compressed gas is hydrogen.
Drawings
Fig. 1a-y show steps that may be used in a second compressed gas distribution method.
Fig. 2a-j show steps that may be used in a third compressed gas distribution method.
Figure 3 shows a second mobile compressed gas storage unit which may replace the mobile compressed gas storage unit of figures 2 a-j.
Fig. 4a-l show steps that may be used in a fourth compressed gas distribution method.
Detailed Description
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing compressed gas into a receiving vessel. The compressed gas may be natural gas. The compressed gas may be hydrogen gas and the receiving vessel may be a hydrogen storage tank of a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, bus, forklift or other vehicle. As used herein, the term compressed gas includes gases and supercritical fluids.
EP2174057B1 discloses one such method for dispensing hydrogen gas from a hydrogen source into a receiving container on a vehicle. The present disclosure describes a number of alternative dispensing methods.
The methods are described with reference to the figures. The thicker lines indicate the path of the compressed gas during the various steps.
The articles "a" and "an" as used herein mean one or more when applied to any feature in embodiments of the present invention described in the specification and claims. The use of "a" and "an" does not limit the meaning of a single feature unless such a limit is specifically stated. The foregoing articles of singular or plural nouns or noun phrases indicate particular characteristics or particular characteristics and may have singular or plural connotations depending upon the context in which they are used.
The adjective "any" means one, one or all in any number.
The term "and/or" as placed between a first entity and a second entity includes (1) only the first entity, (2) any meaning of only the second entity, and (3) both the first entity and the second entity. The term "and/or" located between the last two entities of a list of 3 or more entities means at least one entity in the list, including any specific combination of entities in the list. For example, "a, B and/or C" has the same meaning as "a and/or B and/or C," including the following combinations of a, B and C: (1) only A, (2) B, (3) only C, (4) A and B but not C, (5) A and C but not B, (6) B and C but not A, and (7) A and B and C.
The phrase "at least one of" preceding a list of features or entities refers to one or more features or entities in the list of entities, but does not necessarily include the entities of at least one of each and every entity specifically listed in the list, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. For example, "at least one of a, B, or C" (or, equivalently, "at least one of a, B, and C," or, equivalently "at least one of a, B, and/or C") has the same meaning of "a and/or B and/or C," and includes the following combinations of a, B, and C: (1) a only, (2) B only, (3) C only, (4) A and B and not C, (5) A and C but not B, (6) B and C but not A, and (7) A and B and C.
The term "plurality" means "two or more".
As used herein, "first," "second," "third," and the like are used to distinguish between various steps and/or features, and do not denote total or position relative to time and/or space, unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms "mobile" and "fixed" have their normal meaning. For example, a mobile storage container is a storage container that is transported from a supply reservoir (compressed gas and/or liquid) to a dispensing station, and then returned to recharge after the fluid (compressed gas or liquid) has been sufficiently depleted. A fixed storage container is a storage container that is fixed during normal operation at a dispensing station where the fixed storage container is not transported to a supply warehouse. A stationary storage container is taken from another mobile storage device and the storage device transports liquid or compressed gas from a supply reservoir and off-loads to the stationary storage container. The supply reservoir may be located at a production facility for producing compressed gas and/or liquid, or may be a mass storage facility. The mass storage facility may be provided by a pipeline or other means. The supply reservoir may supply compressed gas and/or liquid to the respective mobile storage device.
The terms "mobile" and "fixed" have their normal meaning. For example, a mobile storage container is a storage container that is transported from a supply reservoir (compressed gas and/or liquid) to a dispensing station, and then returned to recharge after the fluid (compressed gas or liquid) has been sufficiently depleted. A fixed storage container is a storage container that is fixed during normal operation at a dispensing station where the fixed storage container is not transported to a supply warehouse. A stationary storage container is taken from another mobile storage device and the storage device transports liquid or compressed gas from a supply reservoir and off-loads to the stationary storage container. The supply reservoir may be located at a production facility for producing compressed gas and/or liquid, or may be a mass storage facility. The mass storage facility may be provided by a pipeline or other means. The supply reservoir may supply compressed gas and/or liquid to the respective mobile storage device.
As used herein, pressure is gauge pressure unless otherwise specified.
The method uses a well-known cascade allocation method. In cascade distribution, compressed gas is successively distributed from a plurality of supply vessels to a receiving vessel, with each subsequent supply vessel having an increasingly higher pressure of compressed gas contained therein.
Cascade allocation is described in e.g. US 5,406,988, US 6,779,568, US 6,786,245, US8,156,970B 2, US8,453,682B 2, US8,899,278B 2 and EP2174057B1, each incorporated herein by reference.
A first method with its various and optional steps is depicted in fig. 1 a-y. Fig. 1a-y illustrate exemplary process flow diagrams for performing a first method. The lines and valves shown are exemplary only, and various configurations may be used to perform the first method. The amount of gas is transferred through various steps.
The distribution system includes a source of high pressure gas 114, which may be any suitable high pressure source for compressed gas. In the case of hydrogen dispensing, the high pressure gas source 114 may be a hydrogen tube trailer or the like. The first method is particularly useful for higher pressure hydrogen sources such as pipeline trailers. The high pressure gas source 114 may be mobile, meaning that the high pressure gas source 114 may be filled at a compressed gas warehouse, sent to a compressed gas distribution station, unloaded at the distribution station, and then returned again to the compressed gas warehouse for replenishment.
The dispensing system includes a first plurality of storage containers 102, 103. Although only two storage vessels are shown, the first plurality of storage vessels 102,103 may include any number of high pressure storage vessels. The high pressure storage vessels 102,103 may have a maximum rated pressure of, for example, 50 MPa. A first plurality of storage vessels 102,103 may be secured at the compressed gas distribution station. The first plurality of storage containers 102,103 are intended to be secured at a distribution station and transfer compressed gas from a gas source to the first plurality of storage containers, rather than transporting the first plurality of storage containers themselves to a compressed gas warehouse for replenishment.
The dispensing system also includes a second plurality of storage vessels 104 the second plurality of storage vessels 104 may include any number of high pressure storage vessels. The second plurality of storage vessels may have a maximum rated pressure of, for example, 90 MPa. A second plurality of storage vessels 104 may be secured at the compressed gas distribution station. The second plurality of storage vessels 104 are intended to be secured at a distribution station and compressed gas is transferred from the gas source to the second plurality of storage vessels, rather than the second plurality of storage vessels themselves being transported to a compressed gas warehouse for refilling.
The distribution system also includes a gas compression device 105, which may be a single stage compressor, a multi-stage compressor, or multiple compressors.
In a first method, the first plurality of storage vessels 102,103 may be charged or recharged by compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114.
The high pressure gas source 114 may comprise a plurality of storage vessels containing compressed gas at high pressure, such as, for example, a pipe trailer in a fully charged state, and the storage vessels of the gas source 114 may contain compressed gas at a pressure of at least 30MPa, or at least 40MPa, or 50 MPa. The storage vessel of the high pressure gas source 114 may contain compressed gas at a pressure at least as great as the maximum pressure rating of the first plurality of storage vessels.
As shown in fig. 1a, the first plurality of storage vessels 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels may be charged from the high pressure gas source 114 using a pressure differential between the one or more storage vessels of the high pressure gas source 114 and the first storage vessel 102 of the first storage vessel 102.
As used herein, the use of a pressure differential to transfer compressed gas means that the pressure differential of the compressed gas in the vessel that provides and receives the compressed gas is the only driving force for delivering the compressed gas from the compressed gas, providing for delivery of the compressed gas to the vessel that contains the compressed gas. The transfer of the compressed gas is achieved without the use of a compressor or the like.
The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the one or more storage vessels of the high pressure gas source 114 and the first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels is reduced to a desired amount. No compressor delivers compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 to the first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels. The dispensing system for the first method may be operably configured such that the gas compression device 105 is not adapted to compress compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 and transfer the compressed gas from the gas compression device to the first storage container 102 of the first plurality of storage containers. The compressed gas may be transferred from the high pressure gas source 114 to the first storage vessel 102 solely by the pressure differential between the pressure in the one or more vessels of the high pressure gas source 114 and the first storage vessel 102; the pressure difference is the driving force for the compressed gas transfer.
As shown in fig. 1b, when compressed gas is charged from the high pressure gas source 114 to the first storage vessel 102, compressed gas may simultaneously pass from the high pressure gas source 114 to the gas compressing device 105 and from the gas compressing device 105 to one or more of the second plurality of storage vessels 104.
The preferred steps in the first method are shown in fig. 1 c. In this step, compressed gas is simultaneously dispensed from the gas source 114 to the receiving vessel 111 as the compressed gas is charged into the first storage vessel 102. this solves the problem of the prior art method of taking the dispensing station off-line, and not for dispensing to the receiving vessel, when the storage vessel is charged from the gas source 114.
FIG. 1d illustrates an additional or alternative preferred step in the first method, which also solves the problem in the prior art methods, wherein the dispensing station is offline and not used for dispensing to a receiving container when the storage container is being charged from the gas source 114. In this step, compressed gas is simultaneously dispensed from the gas source 114 to the receiving vessel 111 as it is charged into the first storage container 102 and via the compression device 105 into one or more storage containers 104 of the second plurality of storage containers 104.
Additional storage vessels of the first plurality of storage vessels may be charged from the high pressure gas source 114, as shown in FIG. 1 e. The second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels may be charged from the high pressure gas source 114 to the plurality of storage vessels using a pressure differential between the one or more storage vessels of the high pressure gas source 114 and the second storage vessel 103 of the first storage vessel 103. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the source of high pressure gas 114 in the first plurality of storage vessels and the one or more storage vessels of the second storage vessel 103 is reduced to a desired amount. No compressor delivers compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 to the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels. The dispensing system for the first method may be operably configured such that the gas compressing device 105 is not adapted to compress compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 and transfer the compressed gas from the gas compressing device to the second storage container 103. The compressed gas can only be transferred from the high pressure gas source 114 to the second storage container 103 by the pressure difference between the high pressure gas source 114 and the pressure in the one or more containers of the second storage container 103; the pressure difference is the driving force for the compressed gas transfer.
No compressor transfers compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 to any of the first plurality of storage vessels. The dispensing system for the first method may be operably configured such that the gas compressing device 105 is not adapted to compress compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 and transfer the compressed gas from the gas compressing device to the first storage container.
Fig. 1f illustrates an additional or alternative preferred step in the first method, which also solves the problem in the prior art methods, wherein the dispensing station is taken off-line and not used for dispensing to the receiving container when the storage container is charged from the gas source 114. In this step, compressed gas is simultaneously dispensed from the gas source 114 to the receiving vessel 111 when compressed gas is charged into the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels.
Fig. 1g illustrates an additional or alternative preferred step in the first method, which also solves the problem in the prior art methods, wherein the dispensing station is off-line and not used for dispensing to the receiving container when the storage container is charged from the gas source 114. This step, when compressed gas is loaded into the second storage container 103 of the first plurality of storage containers and into one or more storage containers 104 of the second plurality of storage containers 104 via the compression means 105, the compressed gas simultaneously reaches the receiving container 111 from the gas source 114.
As shown in fig. 1h, while the compressed gas is being charged from the high pressure gas source 114 to the second storage vessel 103, the compressed gas may be simultaneously delivered from the high pressure gas source 114 to the gas compressing device 105 and from the gas compressing device 105 to one or more of the second plurality of storage vessels 104.
If it is desired to dispense into the receiving vessel 111 and the pressure of the compressed gas in the one or more storage vessels on the high pressure gas source 114 is sufficient, then there is a high pressure gas source 114 from which the compressed gas can be dispensed into the receiving vessel 111, as shown in FIG. 1 i.
The compressed gas may be dispensed from a stationary compressed gas storage at a compressed gas dispensing station. As shown in the figure. As shown in fig. 1j, the compressed gas may be dispensed from a first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels to a receiving vessel 111. The compressed gas may be transferred from the first storage vessel 102, and the receiving vessel 111 of the first plurality of storage vessels without the use of a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
As shown in fig. 1k, when compressed gas is dispensed from a first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel 111, it is sufficient if the pressure of the compressed gas at high pressure can be dispensed from the high pressure gas source 114 simultaneously with the compressed gas pressure gas source 114.
As shown in fig. 1l, while compressed gas is dispensed from a first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels to a receiving vessel 111, and while compressed gas is dispensed from a high pressure gas source 114, the compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 may be compressed to charge one or more of the second plurality of storage vessels 104.
When compressed gas is dispensed from a first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel 111, the compressed gas from the first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels may also be compressed in the gas compression device 105 and transferred to one or more storage vessels of the second plurality of storage vessels 104, as shown in fig. 1 m.
Even when compressed gas is not dispensed from the first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels, compressed gas from the first storage vessel 102 of the first plurality of storage vessels may be compressed in the gas compression device 105 and passed into one or more storage vessels of the second plurality of storage vessels 104, as shown in fig. 1 n.
According to the cascade filling technique, compressed gas may be dispensed from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel 111, as shown in fig. 1 o. The second storage vessel 103 at the beginning of the dispensing into the receiving vessel 111 contains a higher pressure of compressed gas than the first storage vessel 102 at the end of the dispensing into the receiving vessel 111.
The compressed gas may be transferred from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels using the pressure differential between the second storage vessel 103 and the receiving vessel 111 without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
Where the pressure of the compressed gas in the high pressure source 114 is sufficiently high, the compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 may be blended with the compressed gas from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels and loaded into the receiving vessel 111, as shown in fig. 1 p. As shown in fig. 1q, compressed gas from the high pressure source 114 may additionally be delivered to the gas compression device 105 and then loaded into one or more of the second plurality of storage containers 104.
As shown in fig. 1r, when compressed gas is dispensed from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels, compressed gas from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels may be supplied to the gas compression device 105 and compressed gas is transferred from the gas compression device to one or more of the second plurality of storage vessels 104. The use of compressed gas from the second storage vessel 103 having compressed gas at high pressure helps to maintain a much higher pressure of the plurality of storage vessels 104 in at least one of the second storage vessels 104.
Even when no compressed gas is dispensed from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels, the compressed gas from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels may be compressed in the gas compression device 105 and passed into one or more storage vessels of the second plurality of storage vessels 104, as shown in fig. 1 s.
The allocation method may use other storage containers of the first plurality of storage containers to perform the corresponding steps. Any time a dispensing is made from one of the first plurality of storage containers is compressed gas simultaneously withdrawn from more than one of the first plurality of storage containers. The compressor does not supply compressed gas to the receiving tank 111 from a gas source comprising any of the first plurality of storage containers during any portion of the dispense from another of the first plurality of storage containers.
As shown in fig. 1t, compressed gas from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels may be compressed in the gas compression device 105 and transferred to the receiving vessel 111.
Where the pressure of the compressed gas in the high pressure source 114 is available and suitable, the compressed gas from the high pressure gas source 114 may be blended with the compressed gas from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels, compressed in the gas compression device 105 and charged into the receiving vessel 111, as shown in fig. 1 u.
The cascading filling of the receiving container 111 may then continue to be dispensed from the one or more second plurality of storage containers 104, as shown in fig. 1 v. Depending on how many of the second plurality of storage containers 104, one or more cascading fill steps may be performed.
As shown in fig. 1w, when compressed gas is dispensed from one or more of the second plurality of storage vessels 104 to the receiving vessel 111, the compressed gas may pass from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel 111 via the gas compression device 105.
Where the pressure of the compressed gas in the high pressure source 114 is available and appropriate, the compressed gas may be simultaneously dispensed from the high pressure gas source 114 to the receiving vessel 111 via the gas compression device 105, while the compressed gas is dispensed to the receiving vessel 111 from one or more of the second plurality of storage vessels 104, as shown in fig. 1 x.
Where the pressure in the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels is suitable and the pressure of the compressed gas in the high pressure gas source 114 is available and suitable, the compressed gas from the second storage vessel 103 and the high pressure gas source 114 may be mixed in the gas compression device 105, compressed and charged into the receiving vessel 111 simultaneously with the compressed gas from one or more of the second plurality of storage vessels 104, as shown in fig. 1 y.
In the first method, at no time is compressed gas from the second plurality of storage vessels 104 used as a source by the gas compression device 105. The compressed gas from the storage vessels is not used as a source of gas by the compression device 105 to characterize the second plurality of storage vessels 104 from the first plurality of storage vessels 102, 103.
In a preferred embodiment of the first method, a first amount of gas from at least one of the first plurality of storage vessels 102,103 or the gas source 114 is transferred via the compressor 105 to at least one storage vessel of the second plurality of storage vessels 104 according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 1b, 1d, 1g, 1h, 11,1m, 1n, 1q, 1r and 1 s.
In a preferred embodiment of the first method, the second amount of gas from the gas source 114 is transferred to the storage containers of the first plurality of storage containers 102,103 and the gas in the storage containers using a pressure differential between the gas in the gas source 114 to transfer the second amount of gas, while the third amount of gas is transferred from the gas source 114 to the receiving container 111 using a corresponding pressure differential between the gas in the gas source 114 and the gas in the receiving container 111 to transfer the third amount of gas. This may be achieved according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 1c, 1d, 1f and 1 g.
The transfer of the first amount of gas may be performed simultaneously with the transfer of the second and third amounts of gas, as shown in fig. 1d and 1 g.
In a preferred embodiment of the first method, a fourth amount of gas from at least one of the second plurality of storage vessels 104 is transferred into the receiving vessel 111, using a pressure differential between at least the gas in one of the second plurality of storage vessels 104 and the receiving vessel 111 to transfer the fourth amount of gas. This may be achieved according to one or more of the steps shown in figures 1v, 1w, 1x and 1 y.
The first method may include transferring a fifth amount of gas from the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel 111 using a pressure differential between the gas in the second storage vessel 103 of the first plurality of storage vessels 103 and the gas in the receiving vessel 111. This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in FIGS. 1o, 1p, 1q, and 1 r.
After transferring the fifth amount of gas from the second storage vessel 103, the first method may include transferring the sixth amount of gas from the second storage vessel 103 to the receiving vessel 111 via the compressor 105 while transferring the second amount of gas from the storage vessels of the second plurality of storage vessels 104 to the receiving vessel by the pressure differential. This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 1w and 1 y.
A second method with various and optional steps is depicted in fig. 2 a-j. Fig. 2a-j illustrate exemplary process flow diagrams for performing a second method. The illustrated piping and valves are exemplary only, and various configurations may be used to perform the second method. The amount of gas is transferred through various steps.
The second method is a method for dispensing gas into one or more receiving containers at a compressed gas dispensing station. The one or more receiving containers may be fuel tanks on various types of transportation vehicles.
The distribution station for performing the second method comprises a removable compressed gas storage unit 210 comprising a plurality of storage vessels 202, 203. Although only two are shown, the plurality of storage vessels 202,203 may include any desired number of high pressure storage vessels. Each of the plurality of storage vessels 202,203 has a control valve 220 (for 202), 230 (for 203) associated therewith for dispensing gas from each respective storage vessel to the receiving vessel 211, using the gas in the respective gas storage vessel and receiving vessel 211. Thus, the pressure difference between the gas in the storage container 202 and the gas in the receiving container 211 may be used, from the storage container 202 via the control valve 220 associated with the storage container 202 to the gas in the receiving container 211, and the higher pressure of the compressed gas in the respective storage container, which may be distributed from the storage container 203 via the control valve 230 associated with the storage container 203 to the receiving container 211 by the pressure difference between the gas in the storage container 203 and the gas in the receiving container 203, provides a driving force for transferring the compressed gas to the receiving container having in common, at a lower pressure, i.e. at a pressure lower than the pressure of the compressed gas in the respective storage container in which the gas is conveyed. There is no compressor for transferring compressed gas from the respective storage container to the receiving container. Since the pressure of the gas exiting the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing station, which is operatively connected to the receiving container, is substantially equal to the pressure of the gas in the receiving container, it can be equivalently stated that the pressure difference between the gas in the respective storage container and the gas exiting the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing station is used.
The plurality of storage vessels 202,203 may include any number of high pressure storage vessels. The high pressure storage vessels 202,203 may have a maximum rated pressure of, for example, 50MPa or 90 MPa. The mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 is mobile, meaning that the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 may be filled at a compressed gas storage reservoir, sent to a compressed gas distribution station, used as a source of compressed gas at the compressed gas distribution station, and returned again to the compressed gas store to be recharged with compressed gas after the compressed gas is depleted to a selected depletion level. The use of a storage vessel with high pressure compressed gas on a mobile compressed gas storage device provides the benefit of reducing the dependency on and associated power requirements of the gas compressor at the dispensing station.
The mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 may be designed and configured to be easily swapped out with another mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' as shown in fig. 3. When the compressed gas is exhausted. The second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' has a plurality of storage vessels 202', 203', piping, valves 220', 222', 230', 232' and connectors associated therewith. Additional similar removable compressed gas storage units 210 ", etc., with their respective storage containers, conduits, valves and connectors, may also be configured to be easily interchanged into and out of the dispensing station.
The dispensing station may operate using more than one portable compressed gas storage device 210 at a time and, when staged to a receiving vessel, may be withdrawn from multiple portable compressed gas storage devices when dispensed to a receiving vessel, as described in US8,453,682.
The compressed gas storage device 210, 210' is moved and waits until the compressed gas distribution station is filled with compressed gas.
The dispensing station includes a fixed dispensing station component. The stationary dispensing station assembly includes a compression device 205 and one or more stationary storage containers 204.
The compression device may be a single stage compressor, a multi-stage compressor or a plurality of compressors. The compression device 205 is operably configured to receive gas from each of the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 and/or from the fluid source 250. The compression device 205 is operable with the mobile compressed gas storage device 210 and/or the fluid source 250 to receive gas from the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage device 210 and/or gas from the fluid source 250.
One or more stationary storage vessels 204 are operably configured to receive gas from the compression device 205 and operably configured to dispense gas to the receiving vessel 211. One or more stationary storage vessels 204 are operably connected to the compression device 205 and may be operably connected to the receiving vessel 211 to dispense gas to the receiving vessel 211.
The one or more fixed storage vessels 204 may include any number of high pressure storage vessels. One or more of the fixed storage containers may have a maximum pressure rating of, for example, 90 MPa. One or more stationary storage vessels 204 are secured to the compressed gas distribution station. One or more of the fixed storage vessels 204 may contain gas from one or more removable compressed gas storage devices.
The compressed gas storage unit 210 is moved to a distribution station containing compressed gas. The gas compression device 205 is not used to charge any storage vessels 202,203 of the removable compressed gas storage device 210. Neither storage vessel 202,203 of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 is charged at the dispensing station.
All of the control valves 220,230 associated with the plurality of storage vessels 202,203 for dispensing to the receiving vessel 211 may be secured to the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210. All of the control valves 220,230 and the plurality of storage vessels for dispensing to the receiving vessel 211 may be operatively connected to a common connector 225, i.e., operatively arranged to feed the common connector 225 connecting the mobile compressed gas storage device 210 to the stationary dispense station components. These features provide the advantage of reducing the number of plumbing connections between the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 and the stationary dispensing station components. In the case where each control valve is part of a fixed dispensing station component, each of the plurality of storage containers would need to be separately connected to the fixed dispensing station component, thereby increasing the number of high pressure connections. Reducing the number of high-pressure connections reduces the risk of gas leakage.
Each of the plurality of storage vessels 202,203 may have a control valve 222 (for 202), 232 (for 203) associated therewith for delivering gas from each respective storage vessel to the compression device 205. From the storage vessel 202 to the compression device 205 through a control valve 222 associated with the storage vessel 202, and gas may be dispensed from the storage vessel 203 to the compression device 205 via a control valve 232 associated with the storage vessel 203. Control valves 222, 232 for delivering gas to the compression device 205 may be affixed to the mobile compressed gas storage device 210. All of the control valves 222, 232 for delivering gas to the compression device 205 may be operatively connected to a common connector 235, i.e., operatively arranged to feed the common connector 235 connecting the mobile compressed gas storage device 210 to a fixed distribution station component. These features provide the advantage of reducing the number of plumbing connections between the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 and the stationary dispensing station components. In the case where each control valve is part of a fixed dispensing station component, each of the plurality of storage containers would need to be separately connected to the fixed dispensing station component, thereby increasing the number of high pressure connections. Reducing the number of high-pressure connections reduces the risk of gas leakage.
The compressed gas distribution station may also include a liquid storage source, such as a liquid storage container 250. the liquid storage container 250 may be a stationary liquid storage container or a mobile liquid storage container.
By adding a liquid storage container, the compressed gas distribution station can have available compressed gas storage and liquid storage. The distribution of compressed gas from the high pressure mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 or from the liquid storage vessel 250 may be determined based on the economics and availability of the liquid or compressed gas form of the stored product.
The dispensing station may preferably dispense compressed gas from the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in cases where the liquid in the liquid storage container 250 is more costly than the compressed gas in the mobile compressed gas storage unit. Moving the compressed gas storage device 210 under compression to exhaustion, the dispensing station may dispense compressed gas from the liquid storage vessel 250.
The liquid storage vessel 250 may be any suitable storage vessel for storing the desired product, such as hydrogen. Storage vessels for storing liquid hydrogen are well known. The liquid storage container 250 may be a stationary liquid storage container, wherein liquid from a supply trailer is unloaded to the stationary liquid storage container. The liquid storage container 250 may be a mobile liquid storage container mounted on a trailer, wherein the mobile liquid storage container itself is transported back and forth between the supply reservoir and the dispensing station.
The compressed gas distribution station may also include a fluid driver 255, which may be a pump or a compressor. A fluid driver may pump liquid, gas and a mixture of two-phase liquid and gas from a liquid source to one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers 311.US 5,243,821 discloses a suitable fluid driver. A suitable cryogenic hydrogen compressor system is available from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (see http:// www.airproducts.com/micro/2013 _ hydrogen _ support/33969 _ cryogenic _ hydrogen _ compressor _ ds. pdf). Various models (CHC-3000, CHC-3000, CHC 6000, CHC 7000 and CHC30000) are available depending on the flow rate and pressure rating desired.
Compressed gas may be dispensed from the removable compressed gas storage device 210 at a compressed gas dispensing station. As shown in fig. 2a, compressed gas may be dispensed from a first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels of the removable compressed gas storage unit 210 to a receiving vessel 211. The compressed gas may be used from a first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels without a compressor (or equivalently without a compressor using the pressure difference between the gas in the first storage vessel 202 and the gas exiting the dispensing nozzle) using the pressure difference between the gas in the first storage vessel 202 and the gas in the receiving vessel 211. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
When compressed gas is dispensed from a first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 to the receiving vessel 211, the compressed gas from the first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels may also be compressed in the gas compression device 205 and transferred to the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 204, as shown in fig. 2 b.
Although compressed gas is dispensed from a first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel 211, compressed gas from a second storage vessel 203 of the plurality of storage vessels may be compressed in the gas compression device 205 and transferred to the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 204, as shown in fig. 2 c.
Compressed gas from the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 is compressed in the gas compression unit 205 to form a higher pressure compressed gas in the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 204.
Even when compressed gas is not dispensed from the first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210, compressed gas from the first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels may be compressed at the gas compression device 205 and transferred to the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204, as shown in fig. 2 d. Likewise, the compressed gas of any of the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 may be compressed in the gas compression unit 205 and transferred to the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 204 even over a period of time when no compressed gas is being dispensed to the receiving vessel 211.
According to the cascade distribution technique, compressed gas may be distributed from the second storage vessel 203 of the plurality of storage vessels to the receiving vessel 211, as shown in fig. 2 e. The second storage vessel 203 at the beginning of the dispensing into the receiving vessel 211 contains a higher pressure of compressed gas than the first storage vessel 202 at the end of the dispensing into the receiving vessel 211.
The compressed gas may be transferred from the second storage vessel 203 of the plurality of storage vessels using a pressure differential between the second storage vessel 203 and the receiving vessel 211. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
The dispensing method may use other storage containers of the plurality of storage containers on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 to perform the corresponding steps. Compressed gas simultaneously withdrawn from another of the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 during dispensing from one of the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 210, wherein compressed gas from both storage vessels is transferred to the receiving tank 211. The compressor does not supply compressed gas to the receiving tank 211, and the source of gas from any of the plurality of storage vessels comprising the mobile compressed gas storage device is during any portion of the dispense from another storage vessel of the mobile compressed gas storage device.
As shown in fig. 2f, when compressed gas is dispensed from the second storage vessel 203 of the plurality of storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage device 210, compressed gas from the second storage vessel 203 of the first compressed gas storage device may be supplied to the gas compression device 205 and compressed gas from the gas compression device 205 is transferred to the one or more stationary storage vessels 204. The use of compressed gas from the second storage vessel 203 having compressed gas at high pressure helps to maintain a pressure above the at least one stationary storage vessel 204.
As shown in fig. 2g, compressed gas from the second storage vessel 203 of the mobile compressed gas storage device may be compressed in the gas compression device 205 and transferred to the receiving vessel 211.
The cascading fill of the receiving container 211 may then continue to be dispensed from one or more fixed storage containers 204, as shown in fig. 2h, depending on how many fixed storage containers 204 may perform one or more cascading fill steps.
As shown in fig. 2i, when compressed gas is dispensed from one or more fixed storage containers 204 to a receiving container 211, compressed gas may be simultaneously dispensed from the second storage container 203 of the removable compressed gas storage device to the receiving container 211 via the gas compression device 205.
In the second method, compressed gas from one or more fixed storage containers 204 serving as a source is not used for the gas compression device 205 at any time. This feature is characterized by the compressed gas from the storage vessels not being used as source gas compressing means 205, being characteristic of one or more stationary storage vessels 204 from the plurality of storage vessels 202,203 on the portable compressed gas storage device 210.
The dispensing method may include dispensing compressed gas from the liquid storage container 250. The method may include transferring a first amount of liquid from the liquid storage vessel 250 to one or more of the fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204 or the fluid driver 110 via the compressor 205, as shown in fig. 2 j. In the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204, the amount of liquid forms a compressed gas having a pressure greater than 50MPa or greater than 90 MPa.
Fluid driver 255 can advantageously pump liquid cryogenically because the pressure of the liquid increases more effectively than the gas. A large amount of compressed gas can be formed from pumped liquids with lower cost equipment and lower operating costs than natural gas. A heat exchanger (not shown) may be used to heat the pumped liquid by heat exchange with ambient air after passing through the fluid driver 255. Technically speaking, the "liquid" exiting the fluid driver may be a supercritical fluid.
The first quantity of liquid may be transferred from the liquid storage container 250 to the one or more stationary storage containers 204 via the fluid drive 205, wherein the fluid drive 255 receives the first quantity of liquid form from the liquid storage container 250.
The fluid driver 255 can discharge a first amount of effluent as a liquid or supercritical fluid, wherein the first amount of effluent is formed from the first amount of liquid. The first quantity of effluent from the fluid driver 255 may be heated to form a ninth quantity of gas.
Compressed gas from one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 204 formed from a liquid may be dispensed into a receiving vessel as shown in figure 2 h.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, a first amount of gas from a first storage vessel 202 of the plurality of storage vessels on the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 is transferred to the receiving vessel 211, the gas in the first storage vessel 202 and the gas in the receiving vessel 211 to transfer the first amount of gas. This may be achieved according to one or more of the steps shown in figures 2a, 2b and 2 c.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, a second amount of gas from a second storage vessel 203 of the plurality of storage vessels on the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 is transferred to the receiving vessel 211, the gas in the second storage vessel 203 and the gas in the receiving vessel 211 to transfer the second amount of gas. This may be achieved according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2e and 2 f.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, the third amount of gas from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels on the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 is transferred to the one or more fixed storage vessels 204 via the compressor 205, which may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2b, 2c, 2d and 2 f.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, a fourth amount of gas from at least one of the one or more fixed storage vessels 204 is delivered to the receiving vessel 211, and the gas in the at least one of the one or more fixed storage vessels 204 and the receiving vessel 211 is used to displace the fourth amount of gas, wherein the fourth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the third amount of gas. This may be done according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2h or 2 i.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, the first mobile compressed gas storage device is transported to a refill station after the first mobile compressed gas storage device 210 is depleted to a selected depletion level. The first mobile compressed gas storage device is refilled at a refill station.
As shown in fig. 3, the first removable compressed gas storage device is replaced at the distribution station with a second removable compressed gas storage device 210'.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, a fifth amount of gas from the first storage vessel 202 'of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' is transferred to the second holding vessel 211 'using a pressure differential between the gas in the first storage vessel 202' of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 'and the gas in the second holding vessel 211' to transfer the fifth amount of gas. This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2a, 2b and 2c, wherein a second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 'replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each respective figure, and a second receiving vessel 211' replaces the first receiving vessel 211.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, the sixth amount of gas from the second storage vessel 203 'from the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' is transferred to the second receiving vessel 211 'using a pressure differential between the gas in the second storage vessel 203' and the gas in the second receiving vessel 211 'of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210'. This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2e and 2f, wherein a second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 'replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each figure, and a second receiving vessel 211' replaces the first receiving vessel 211.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, a seventh amount of gas from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels 202', 203' on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' is transferred to the fixed storage vessel 204 via the compressor 205. This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2f, wherein a second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 'replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each respective figure, and a second receiving vessel 211' replaces the first receiving vessel 211.
In a preferred embodiment of the second method, an eighth amount of gas is transferred from at least one or another of the one or more fixed storage vessels 204 to the second receiving vessel 211 'using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one or another of the one or more fixed storage vessels 204 and the gas in the second receiving vessel 211' to displace the eighth amount of gas, wherein the eighth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the seventh amount of gas. At least one of the one or more fixed storage vessels providing the eighth amount of gas may be the same as or different from at least one of the one or more fixed storage vessels providing the fourth amount of gas. This may be achieved according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2h and 2 i. Wherein the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 'replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each respective figure, and the second receiving vessel 211' replaces the first receiving vessel 211.
In another embodiment of the second method, the first amount of liquid from the liquid storage vessel 250 may be transferred to the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204 via the compressor 205 or the fluid drive 255 to form a ninth amount of gas in the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204. This may be done according to the steps shown in fig. 2 j.
In further embodiments of the second method, a tenth amount of gas from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels of the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' may be transferred to the third receiving vessel 211 ", using a respective pressure differential between each of the one or more of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit and the gas in the third receiving vessel 211" to transfer the tenth amount of gas. This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2e and 2f, wherein a second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each figure, and a third receiving vessel 211 "replaces the first receiving vessel 211.
In another embodiment of the second method, after the tenth amount of gas transfer, an eleventh amount of gas may be transferred from at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204 to the third receiving vessel 211 ″ to transfer the eleventh amount of gas, wherein the eleventh amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the ninth amount of gas (i.e., formed from the liquid). This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2h and 2i, wherein a second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each figure, and a third receiving vessel 211 "replaces the first receiving vessel 211.
After receiving the eleventh amount of gas from at least one of the first one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204, the third receiving vessel 211 "may be loaded to the target final pressure, determining that the gas in each storage vessel mounted on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' is insufficient to provide the target final pressure of gas in the third receiving vessel 211".
In another embodiment of the second method, the twelfth quantity of gas may be transferred from at least one or other of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204 to the fourth receiving vessel 211 "using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one or other of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204 and the gas in the fourth receiving vessel 211'" to transfer the twelfth quantity of gas. The gas is delivered to a fourth receiving vessel 211 ", which is provided only by one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204, to bring the pressure of the gas in the fourth receiving vessel 211" from the initial pressure (i.e., the time of connection to the dispensing station) to the target final pressure for the fourth receiving vessel. This may be accomplished according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2h and 2i, wherein a second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each respective figure, and a fourth receiving vessel 211 "replaces the first receiving vessel 211.
Since no gas is being delivered from the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210', when the first one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 204 in storage are being delivered to the fourth receiving vessel 211 ", a twelfth quantity of gas may be delivered to the fourth receiving vessel 211", the vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' each containing a gas at a pressure lower than the initial pressure of the gas in the fourth receiving vessel 211 ".
In another embodiment of the second method, the thirteenth amount of gas may be transferred from the first storage vessel 202' to the fifth receiving vessel 211 ″ of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' using a pressure differential between the gas in the first storage vessel 202' and the gas in the fifth receiving vessel 211 ″. This may be achieved according to one or more of the steps shown in figures 2a, 2b and 2 c. Wherein the second movable compressed gas storage unit 210 'replaces the first movable compressed gas storage unit 210 in each respective figure, and the fifth receiving container 211' replaces the first receiving container 211. In the thirteenth amount of gas after the transfer, the fourteenth amount of gas may be transferred from the second storage vessel 203 'of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to the fifth receiving vessel 211 ", using the pressure difference between the gas in the second storage vessel 203' and the gas in the fifth receiving vessel 211" ", to transfer the fourteenth amount of gas. This may be achieved according to one or more of the steps shown in fig. 2e and 2 f. Wherein a second mobile compressed gas storage unit 210' replaces the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 in each respective figure, and a second vessel 211 "replaces the first receiving vessel 211. In an embodiment, gas is only provided from the second mobile compressed gas storage device to the fifth receiving vessel 211 "to increase the target final pressure of the gas in the fifth receiving vessel 211" from the initial pressure (i.e., when the fifth receiving vessel is connected to the dispensing station) to the fifth receiving vessel 211 ".
In a second approach, the amount of gas from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels 202,203 of the first mobile compressed gas storage device may be transferred to the receiving vessel 211 via a compressor as shown in fig. 2g and 2 i. In a second method, the amount of gas transferred from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels 202,203 of the first mobile compressed gas storage unit 210 to the receiving vessel 211 may be transferred while transferring the amount of gas transferred from at least one of the one or more stationary storage vessels of the fourth mobile compressed gas storage unit to the receiving vessel 211.
A third method with various and optional steps is depicted in fig. 4 a-l. Fig. 4a-1 shows an exemplary process flow diagram for performing the method. The transmission lines and valves shown are exemplary only, and various alternative configurations may be used to perform the method.
The third method is a method of distributing compressed gas into a plurality of receiving containers at a compressed gas distribution station (10). The plurality of receiving containers may be fuel tanks on various types of transportation vehicles. The compressed gas distribution station 10 includes a mobile compressed gas storage unit 300, a liquid storage vessel 350 and one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311. The liquid storage container 350 may be a stationary liquid storage container or a mobile liquid storage container.
The compressed gas distribution station 10 can have available compressed gas storage and liquid storage. The distribution of compressed gas from the high pressure mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 or the distribution from the liquid storage vessel 350 may be determined based on the economics and availability of the stored product in the form of stored liquid or compressed gas.
In the event that the liquid in the liquid storage container 350 is more costly than the compressed gas in the mobile compressed gas storage device, the dispensing station 10 may preferably dispense compressed gas from the mobile compressed gas storage device 300. Upon depletion of the compressed gas in the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300, the dispensing station 10 may dispense compressed gas from the liquid storage container 350.
The liquid storage vessel 350 may be any suitable storage vessel for storing the desired product, such as hydrogen. Storage vessels for storing liquid hydrogen are well known. The liquid storage container 350 may be a stationary liquid storage container, wherein liquid from a supply trailer is unloaded to the stationary liquid storage container. The liquid storage container 350 may be a mobile liquid storage container mounted on a trailer, wherein the mobile liquid storage container itself is transported back and forth between the supply reservoir and the dispensing station 10.
The mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 comprises a plurality of storage vessels 302, 303. Although only two are shown, the plurality of storage vessels 302,303 may include any desired number of high pressure storage vessels. The pressure of the compressed gas contained in each of the plurality of storage containers 302,303 may be the same as each other or different from each other. The high pressure storage vessels 302,303 may have a maximum rated pressure of, for example, 50MPa or 90 MPa. The mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 is mobile, meaning that the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 can be filled to a compressed gas supply station, sent to the compressed gas distribution station 10, the compressed gas distribution station 10 used as a source of compressed gas at the compressed gas distribution site and, after the compressed gas has been depleted to a selected depletion level, returned again to the compressed gas supply store to be recharged with compressed gas. The use of a storage vessel with high pressure compressed gas on a mobile compressed gas storage device provides the benefit of reducing the dependency on and associated power requirements of the gas compressor at the dispensing station.
The mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 may be designed and configured to be easily swapped out with another mobile compressed gas storage unit as described above. The mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 and the dispensing station 10 may be configured to minimize the number of high pressure connections between the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 and the dispensing station 10 as described above.
The dispensing station 10 may operate using more than one mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 at a time and, when dispensing is to a receiving vessel, may discharge from more than one mobile compressed gas storage unit as described in US8,453,682 when dispensing to a receiving vessel.
The compressed gas storage device 300 is moved to the compressed gas distribution station 10 filled with compressed gas.
The one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 may include any desired number of high pressure storage vessels. The pressure of the compressed gas contained in each of the one or more fixed storage containers 311 may be the same as each other or different from each other. One or more of the fixed compressed gas storage vessels may have a maximum pressure rating of, for example, 50MPa or 90 MPa.
The compressed gas distribution station 10 also includes a fluid driver 310, which may be a pump or a compressor. A fluid driver may pump liquid, gas and a mixture of two-phase liquid and gas from a liquid source to one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers 311.US 5,243,821 discloses a suitable fluid driver. A suitable cryogenic hydrogen compressor system is available from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (see http:// www.airproducts.com/micro/2013 _ hydrogen _ support/33969 _ cryogenic _ hydrogen _ compressor _ ds. pdf). Various models (CHC-3000, CHC-3000, CHC 6000, CHC 7000 and CHC30000) are available depending on the flow rate and pressure rating desired.
The method includes operatively connecting a first receiving container 371 of the plurality of receiving containers to the compression gas station 10. Suitable nozzles and receivers for connecting the receiving container and the compression gasoline station are well known in the art of hydrogen distribution. When the first receiving vessel 371 is operatively connected to the compressed gas dispensing station 10, the first receiving vessel 371 contains compressed gas at an initial pressure.
As shown in fig. 4a, the method includes transferring a first quantity of compressed gas from a first storage container 302 of a plurality of storage containers on a removable compressed gas storage device 300 to a first receiving container 371 of a plurality of receiving containers. The first amount of compressed gas is transferred using a pressure difference between the compressed gas in the first storage container 302 and the compressed gas in the first receiving container 371 to transfer the first amount of compressed gas without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
According to the cascade dispensing technique, as shown in fig. 4b, after the transfer of the first quantity of compressed gas, the method includes transferring a second quantity of compressed gas from a second storage container 303 of the plurality of storage containers on the removable compressed gas storage apparatus 300 to a first receiving container 371. The second storage vessel 303 contains a higher pressure of compressed gas than the first storage vessel 302 at the beginning of the dispensing into the first receiving vessel 371 than at the end of the dispensing into the first receiving vessel 371. The second amount of compressed gas is diverted using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the second storage container 303 and the compressed gas in the first receiving container 371 to deliver the second amount of compressed gas without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
The dispensing method may dispense additional compressed gas from the mobile compressed gas storage unit by using the corresponding steps of dispensing other storage vessels of the plurality of storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300. Any number of multiple storage vessels of the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 may be used using the cascade fill technique. The compressed gas is transferred only from the movable compressed gas storage device 300 to the first receiving container 371 to increase the pressure of the compressed gas from the initial pressure to the target pressure of the first receiving container 371 in the first receiving container 371; the first receiving container 371 is refilled to the target pressure using only compressed gas from the removable compressed gas storage device 300. The first receiving container 371 may then be disconnected from the compressed gas distribution station 10.
As used herein, "target pressure" and "target final pressure" refer to the maximum pressure at which the respective receiving container is filled at the dispensing station. When the gas in each receiving vessel reaches the target pressure for the respective receiving vessel, refilling is terminated and the respective receiving vessel is separated from the dispensing station. Since the pressure of the gas exiting the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing station (which is operatively connected to the respective receiving vessel) is approximately the same as the pressure of the gas in the receiving vessel, it can be equivalently stated that the gas is dispensed until the gas exiting the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing station is at the target pressure of the respective receiving vessel.
The dispensing method includes dispensing compressed gas from the liquid storage container 350. The method includes transferring a first quantity of liquid from the liquid storage vessel 350 to one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 via the fluid driver 110, as shown in fig. 4 c. The first amount of liquid forms a third compressed gas at a pressure greater than 50MPa or greater than 90MPa in the one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers 311.
The fluid driver 110 can advantageously pump liquid cryogenically because the pressure of the liquid increases more effectively than the gas. A large amount of compressed gas can be formed from pumped liquids with lower cost equipment and lower operating costs than natural gas. A heat exchanger (not shown) may be used to heat the pumped liquid by heat exchange with ambient air after passing through the fluid driver 110. Technically, the "liquid" exiting the fluid driver may be a supercritical fluid.
The method includes operatively connecting a second receiving vessel 372 of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station 10.
The method includes transferring a fourth amount of compressed gas from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels 302,303 on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 to a second receiving vessel 372 of the plurality of receiving vessels. Fig. 4d shows a fourth quantity of compressed gas transferred from second storage vessel 303 to second receiving vessel 372. The fourth quantity of compressed gas is transferred to the vessel 302,303 using a corresponding pressure differential between the compressed gas in one or more of the plurality of reservoirs and the compressed gas in the second receiving vessel 372 to transfer the fourth quantity of compressed gas without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount. One or more of the plurality of storage containers 302,303 may include a first storage container of the plurality of storage containers, a second storage container of the plurality of storage containers, and one or more storage containers of a third storage container of the plurality of storage containers.
According to the cascade distribution technique, as shown in fig. 4e, after the transfer of the fourth amount of compressed gas, the method includes transferring the first amount of compressed gas from at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 to a second receiving vessel 372. The compressed gas ship 372 may be transferred when the pressure of the compressed gas in each of the total number of storage containers installed on the mobile compressed gas storage apparatus 300 is determined to be insufficient to provide the target pressure of the compressed gas in the second receiving.
The fifth quantity of compressed gas may be dispensed from more than one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers 311 using a cascade fill technique. The fifth amount of compressed gas comprises at least a portion of the third amount of compressed gas; a fifth quantity of compressed gas is formed from the liquid storage vessel 350. At least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 contains a higher compressed gas pressure during distribution to the second receiving vessel 372 than one or more of the plurality of storage vessels on the removable compressed gas storage device 300 distributed to the second receiving vessel 372. The fifth amount of compressed gas uses the compressed gas of the compressed gas or at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers 311 and the compressed gas in the second receiving container 372 to deliver the fifth amount of compressed gas without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
The distribution method may use one or more of the fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 by distributing additional compressed gas from one or more additional storage vessels of the fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 to the second receiving vessel 372.
Compressed gas is transferred from the mobile compressed gas storage device 300 and one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels to the second receiving vessel 372 to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the second receiving vessel 372; at least one of the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels is filled from the liquid storage vessel 350 using at least one of compressed gas from the movable compressed gas storage apparatus 300 and the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311. After second receiving vessel 372 is refilled to the target pressure, second receiving vessel 372 may be disconnected from compressed gas distribution station 10.
Providing high pressure compressed gas from the fixed compressed gas storage vessel 311 provides the advantage of allowing low pressure compressed gas to be dispensed from the mobile compressed gas storage device 300 to further consume the compressed gas from the mobile compressed gas storage device 300 while still being able to provide compressed gas to the receiving vessel to achieve the desired target pressure. More compressed gas may be obtained from the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 to be refilled with compressed gas before the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 needs to be transported to a compressed gas supply station.
The method includes operatively connecting a third receiving vessel 373 of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station 10 when the third receiving vessel 373 is operatively connected to the compressed gas distribution station 10, the third receiving vessel 373 contains compressed gas at an initial pressure.
The method includes transferring a sixth amount of compressed gas from at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 to a third receiving vessel 373 of the plurality of receiving vessels. Using a cascade fill technique, a sixth amount of compressed gas may be dispensed from more than one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers 311. Fig. 4f shows a sixth quantity of compressed gas transferred from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 to the third receiving vessel 373. The sixth amount of compressed gas is transferred between the compressed gas in the at least one compressed gas and the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel 373 using a corresponding pressure differential or the other of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 to deliver the sixth amount of compressed gas without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
The compressed gas is transferred only from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 to the third receiving vessel 373 to increase the pressure receiving vessel 373 of the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel 373 from the initial pressure of the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel 373 to the target pressure of the third receiving vessel 373; the third receiving vessel 373 is refilled from the initial pressure to the target pressure using only the compressed gas from the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311.
A sixth quantity of compressed gas may be transferred from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 to the third receiving vessel 373 when the storage vessel on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 is at a pressure less than the compressed gas of the compressed gas storage unit 300. The initial pressure of the compressed gas in the third receiving container 373 is either connected to the compressed gas distribution station 10 without a movable compressed gas storage device.
After refilling the third receiving vessel 373 to the target pressure, the third receiving vessel 373 may be disconnected from the compressed gas distribution station 10.
The ability to dispense compressed gas only from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 (where the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels are filled from the liquid storage vessel 350) provides a back-up supply of high pressure compressed gas, the storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 becoming depleted, or when there is no mobile compressed gas storage unit operatively connected to the compressed gas distribution station 10.
The liquid supply may optionally provide cooling of the compressed gas dispensed from the removable compressed gas storage device 300 by using a heat exchanger, if desired. The heat exchanger may or may not use a cooling block as described in, for example, EP2682664a2 and US8671997B2 to exchange heat from liquid or cold gas from the liquid storage vessel 350 with compressed gas from a mobile compressed gas storage device.
The compressed gas distribution station 10 may continue to distribute to receiving vessels until the compressed gas is depleted in the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 and the pressure of the compressed gas is deemed insufficient to rejoin further receiving vessels.
After mobile compressed gas storage device 300 is depleted to a selected depletion level, the mobile compressed gas storage device may then be disconnected from compressed gas distribution station 10, and second mobile compressed gas storage device 400 operably connected to the selected depletion level may be based on the cost of compressed gas provided on the mobile compressed gas storage device and the cost of liquid used to form the compressed gas and/or in various forms, and so forth. The second mobile compressed gas storage unit 400 comprises a plurality of storage vessels 402,403.
The method may further include operatively connecting a fourth receiving vessel 374 of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station 10. When the fourth receiving vessel is operatively connected to the compressed gas distribution station 10, the fourth receiving vessel 374 contains compressed gas at an initial pressure.
As shown in fig. 4g, the method may further comprise transferring a seventh amount of compressed gas from the first storage vessel 402 of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 400 to a fourth receiving vessel 374 of the plurality of receiving vessels. The seventh amount of compressed gas may be diverted using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the first storage vessel 402 and the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel 374 to deliver the seventh amount of compressed gas without the use of a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
According to the cascade distribution technique, as shown in fig. 4h, after the transfer of the seventh quantity of compressed gas, the method may include transferring an eighth quantity of compressed gas from the second storage vessel 403 of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 400 to the fourth receiving vessel 374. The second storage vessel 403 at the beginning of the distribution to the fourth receiving vessel 374 contains a higher pressure of compressed gas than the first storage vessel 402 at the end of the distribution to the fourth receiving vessel 374. The eighth amount of compression delivers gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the second storage vessel 403 and the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel 374 such that the eighth amount of compressed gas is delivered without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
The dispensing method may be performed by dispensing additional compressed gas from the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 400 to the fourth receiving vessel 374 using the corresponding steps of the other of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 400. Dispensing using the cascade fill technique may use any number of the plurality of storage vessels of the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 400. Compressed gas is transferred only from the second mobile compressed gas storage unit 400 to the fourth receiving vessel 374 to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel 374 from the initial pressure to the target pressure of the fourth receiving vessel 374; the fourth receiving vessel 374 is refilled to the target pressure using only compressed gas from the second mobile compressed gas storage device 400.
When the mobile compressed gas storage device 300 is disconnected from the distribution station 10, the mobile compressed gas storage device 300 may be transported to a compressed gas supply station. The mobile compressed gas storage 300 can be transported back to the distribution station 10 again by compressed gas at the compressed gas supply station and the mobile compressed gas storage 300.
The mobile compressed gas storage device 300 may be operatively connected to the compressed gas distribution station 10 and again used to distribute compressed gas to receiving containers.
The method can include operatively connecting a fifth receiving vessel 375 to the compressed gas distribution station 10 when the fifth receiving vessel is operatively connected to the compressed gas distribution station 10, the fifth receiving vessel 375 contains compressed gas at an initial pressure.
As shown in fig. 4i, the method may further comprise transferring a ninth amount of compressed gas from a first storage vessel 302 of the plurality of storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 to a fifth receiving vessel 375 of the plurality of receiving vessels. The ninth amount of compressed gas may be transferred using a pressure difference between the compressed gas in the first storage vessel 302 and the compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel 375 to transfer the ninth amount of compressed gas without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
According to the cascade distribution technique, as shown in fig. 4j, after delivering the ninth amount of compressed gas, the method may include delivering the tenth amount of compressed gas from the second storage vessel 303 of the plurality of storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 to the fifth receiving vessel. The second storage vessel 303 at the beginning of the dispense to the fifth receiving vessel 375 contains a higher pressure of compressed gas than the first storage vessel 302 at the end of the dispense to the fifth receiving vessel 375. The tenth amount of compressed gas is transferred using a pressure difference between the compressed gas in the second storage container 303 and the compressed gas in the fifth receiving container 375 to deliver the tenth amount of compressed gas without using a compressor. The transfer of compressed gas may continue until the pressure differential between the two vessels is reduced to a desired amount.
The dispensing method may be performed by dispensing additional compressed gas from the additional compressed gas storage apparatus 300 to the fifth receiving vessel 375 using the respective steps of moving the other of the plurality of storage vessels on the compressed gas storage apparatus 300. The compressed gas is transferred only from the removable compressed gas storage device 300 to the fifth receiving vessel 375 to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel 375 from the initial pressure to the target pressure of the fifth receiving vessel 375; the fifth receiving vessel 375 is refilled to the target pressure using only the compressed gas from the mobile compressed gas storage device 300.
As shown in fig. 4k, the method may include transferring an amount of compressed gas from one or more of a plurality of storage vessels 302,303 on the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 to a mobile via fluid one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 (110). This may be accomplished when the pressure in the plurality of storage vessels 302,303 is deemed insufficient to supply compressed gas to the receiving vessel to achieve the desired target pressure.
Another receiving container 376 may be operably connected to the dispensing station 10. As shown in fig. 41, the method may include transferring an amount of compressed gas from one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 to another receiving vessel 376 using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 and the compressed gas in the other receiving vessel 376 to deliver the amount of compressed gas. The amount of compressed gas transferred from one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 to another receiving vessel 376 includes at least a portion of the amount of compressed gas transferred from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels 302,303 being connected to the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels 311 through the fluid drive 110.
These method steps, wherein transferring compressed gas from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels 302,303 on the mobile compressed gas storage apparatus 300 to one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 via a fluid drive and compressing the gas that is then transferred from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels 311 to another receiving tank provides the benefit of improving the utilization of the compressed gas in the plurality of storage vessels 302,303 to be transported to a compressed gas supply store for recharging with compressed gas before the mobile compressed gas storage apparatus 300 needs to be; the multiple storage vessels between the mobile compressed gas storage units 300 may be more completely depleted before recharging. This configuration has a synergistic effect in that it has the advantage of not requiring additional fluid movers to effect the transfer of compressed gas from the mobile compressed gas storage unit 300 to the one or more stationary compressed gas storage containers 311.
For each of these methods, the skilled person can select appropriate steps and omit steps as required.

Claims (9)

1. A method for distributing a gas to a plurality of receiving vessels, the method comprising:
transferring a first amount of gas from a first storage container of the plurality of storage containers on the first mobile compressed gas storage device to the receiving container by transferring the first amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the first storage container and the gas in the receiving container;
transferring a second amount of gas from a second storage container of the plurality of storage containers on the first mobile compressed gas storage device to the receiving container by transferring the second amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the second storage container and the gas in the receiving container;
transferring a third amount of gas from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels on the first mobile compressed gas storage device to one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels via a compressor;
transferring a fourth amount of gas from at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels to the receiving vessel by transferring the fourth amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels and the gas in the receiving vessel, wherein the fourth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the third amount of gas;
transporting the first mobile compressed gas storage device to a refill station after the first mobile compressed gas storage device has been depleted to a selected depletion level;
refilling the first mobile compressed gas storage device at a refill station;
transferring a fifth amount of gas from a first storage vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to a second receiving vessel by transferring the fifth amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the first storage vessel and the gas in the second receiving vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device;
transferring a sixth amount of gas from a second storage vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to a second receiving vessel by transferring the sixth amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the second storage vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device and the gas in the second receiving vessel;
transferring a seventh amount of gas from at least one of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to one or more of the stationary storage vessels via the compressor; and
transferring an eighth amount of gas from at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels to the second receiving vessel by transferring the eighth amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels and the gas in the second receiving vessel, wherein the eighth amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the seventh amount of gas.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transferring the first quantity of liquid from the liquid storage vessel to the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels via a compressor or fluid drive, thereby forming a ninth quantity of gas in the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels;
transferring a tenth amount of gas from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to a third vessel by transferring the tenth amount of gas using a respective pressure differential between each of the one or more of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device and the gas in the third receiving vessel; and
transferring the eleventh amount of gas from the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels to the third receiving vessel by transferring the eleventh amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels and the gas in the third receiving vessel after the transferring of the tenth amount of gas, wherein the eleventh amount of gas comprises at least a portion of the ninth amount of gas.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
transferring a twelfth amount of gas from at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels to a fourth receiving vessel by transferring the twelfth amount of gas using a pressure differential between the gas in the at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels and the gas in the fourth receiving vessel;
wherein the gas is transferred only from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels to the fourth receiving vessel to increase the pressure of the gas in the fourth receiving vessel from the initial pressure of the gas in the fourth receiving vessel to a target final pressure for the fourth receiving vessel.
4. A method for distributing compressed gas into a plurality of receiving vessels at a compressed gas distribution station comprising a mobile compressed gas storage device, a liquid storage vessel, and one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels, the method comprising:
operatively connecting a first receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels to a compressed gas dispensing station, the first receiving vessel containing compressed gas at an initial pressure;
transferring a first amount of compressed gas from a first storage vessel of a plurality of storage vessels on a mobile compressed gas storage device to a first receiving vessel of a plurality of receiving vessels by transferring the first amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the first storage vessel and the compressed gas in the first receiving vessel;
transferring a second amount of compressed gas from a second storage vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage device to the first receiving vessel by transferring the second amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the second storage vessel and the compressed gas in the first receiving vessel after the transferring of the first amount of compressed gas;
wherein the compressed gas is transferred only from the mobile compressed gas storage device to the first receiving vessel to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the first receiving vessel from the initial pressure to a target pressure for the first receiving vessel;
transferring the first quantity of liquid from the liquid storage vessel to the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels via the fluid driver, thereby forming a third quantity of compressed gas in the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels;
operatively connecting a second receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels to a compressed gas dispensing station;
transferring a fourth amount of compressed gas from one or more of the plurality of storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage device to a second receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels by transferring the fourth amount of compressed gas using a respective pressure differential between each of the one or more of the plurality of storage vessels and the compressed gas in the second receiving vessel;
transferring a fifth amount of compressed gas from the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels to the second receiving vessel by transferring the fifth amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the at least one of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels and the compressed gas in the second receiving vessel after the transferring of the fourth amount of compressed gas, wherein the fifth amount of compressed gas comprises at least a portion of the third amount of compressed gas;
operatively connecting a third receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas dispensing station, the third receiving vessel containing compressed gas at an initial pressure; and
transferring a sixth amount of compressed gas from at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels to a third receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels by transferring the sixth amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in at least one or another of the one or more fixed compressed gas storage vessels and the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel;
wherein the compressed gas is transferred only from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels to the third receiving vessel to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel from the initial pressure of the compressed gas in the third receiving vessel to the target pressure for the third receiving vessel.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mobile compressed gas storage unit has a total number of storage containers mounted thereon, and
wherein the fifth quantity of compressed gas is transferred from at least one of the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels to the second receiving vessel when the pressure of the compressed gas in each or each of the total number of storage vessels mounted on the mobile compressed gas storage device is determined to be insufficient to provide the target pressure of compressed gas in the second receiving vessel.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the sixth quantity of compressed gas is transferred from the one or more stationary compressed gas storage vessels to a third receiving vessel when the storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage device each contain compressed gas at a pressure less than the initial pressure of compressed gas in the third receiving vessel, or when there is no mobile compressed gas storage device operably connected to a compressed gas distribution station.
7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
operatively connecting a second mobile compressed gas storage unit comprising a plurality of storage containers to the compressed gas distribution station;
operatively connecting a fourth receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas dispensing station, the fourth receiving vessel containing compressed gas at an initial pressure;
transferring a seventh amount of compressed gas from a first storage vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to a fourth receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels by transferring the seventh amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the first storage on the second mobile compressed gas storage device and the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel; and
transferring, after the transferring of the seventh amount of compressed gas, an eighth amount of compressed gas from a second storage vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the second mobile compressed gas storage device to a fourth receiving vessel by transferring the eighth amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the second storage vessel and the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel on the second mobile compressed gas storage device;
wherein the compressed gas is transferred only from the second mobile compressed gas storage device to the fourth receiving vessel to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the fourth receiving vessel from the initial pressure to the target pressure for the fourth receiving vessel.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
after the compressed gas on the mobile compressed gas storage device has been depleted to a selected depletion level, transporting the mobile compressed gas storage device to a compressed gas supply warehouse;
recharging the mobile compressed gas storage device with compressed gas at the compressed gas supply warehouse;
transporting the mobile compressed gas storage unit to a compressed gas distribution station;
operatively connecting a mobile compressed gas storage unit to a compressed gas distribution station;
operatively connecting a fifth receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels to the compressed gas distribution station, the fifth receiving vessel containing compressed gas at an initial pressure;
transferring a ninth amount of compressed gas from the first of the plurality of storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage device to the fifth of the plurality of receiving vessels by transferring the ninth amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the first storage vessel and the compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel on the mobile compressed gas storage device; and
transferring a tenth amount of compressed gas from the second storage vessel of the plurality of storage vessels on the mobile compressed gas storage device to the fifth receiving vessel by transferring the tenth amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the second storage vessel and the compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel on the mobile compressed gas storage device after the transferring of the ninth amount of compressed gas;
wherein the compressed gas is transferred only from the mobile compressed gas storage device to the fifth receiving vessel to increase the pressure of the compressed gas in the fifth receiving vessel from the initial pressure to the target pressure for the fifth receiving vessel.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
transferring, via a fluid driver, an amount of compressed gas from one or more of a plurality of storage vessels on a mobile compressed gas storage device to one or more of stationary compressed gas storage vessels;
operatively connecting another receiving vessel of the plurality of receiving vessels to a compressed gas dispensing station; and
transferring an amount of compressed gas from one or more of the fixed compressed gas storage containers to another receiving container by transferring the amount of compressed gas using a pressure differential between the compressed gas in the one or more fixed compressed gas storage containers and the compressed gas in the another receiving container, wherein the amount of compressed gas transferred from one or more of the fixed compressed gas storage containers to the another receiving container comprises at least a portion of the amount of compressed gas transferred from one or more of the plurality of storage containers on the mobile compressed gas storage device to one or more of the fixed compressed gas storage containers via the fluid driver.
CN201710368903.9A 2016-05-23 2017-05-23 Compressed gas distribution Active CN107420738B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16170898.7 2016-05-23
EP16170898.7A EP3249281B1 (en) 2016-05-23 2016-05-23 Compressed gas dispensing
US201662356086P 2016-06-29 2016-06-29
US62/356086 2016-06-29
US15/465723 2017-03-22
US15/465,723 US10508770B2 (en) 2016-05-23 2017-03-22 Compressed gas dispensing

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CN107420738B true CN107420738B (en) 2020-04-21

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